N.Y. Law Firm Can Use Deceased Lawyer’s Name in Letterhead

A New York law firm that bought another practice from a retiring lawyer who then died can use the deceased attorney’s name on firm letterhead as long as it isn’t misleading, the state bar said.

New York’s recently revised ethics rule on law firm names allow communications about the firms that aren’t deceptive, the New York State Bar’s ethics committee said in a Thursday opinion.

The changes to rule, which were adopted earlier this year, “are a long overdue game-changer for lawyers,” said attorney Ronald C. Minkhoff in an email.

The amended rule follows the American Bar Association’s approach to ...